Political Bureau, New Delhi Chronicle
New Delhi / Hyderabad
In a major political overhaul aimed at enforcing strict party discipline, Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy has recommended dropping Endowments Minister Konda Surekha from the State Council of Ministers. The official announcement, issued via a statement from the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO), marks a significant escalation in the ongoing internal rift within the state’s ruling party.
Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla has been formally sent the recommendation for Surekha’s removal. The decision comes after days of intense deliberations and a direct directive from the Congress high command urging the minister to tender her resignation.
Daughter’s Public Outburst Triggers High-Level Action
The controversy stems from an incident on August 19, when Konda Surekha’s daughter, Konda Sushmita Patel, publicly targeted Chief Minister Revanth Reddy during an event in Geesugonda. Sushmita openly declared her intention to contest the upcoming Assembly elections from the Parakala constituency—adding that she would contest as an independent candidate if the party denied her a ticket.
The comments triggered sharp reactions from ruling party leaders and local legislators. Taking swift action, the Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) Disciplinary Committee issued a show-cause notice to Konda Surekha, demanding a response within three days.
In her response, Surekha attempted to distance herself from the controversy, asserting that holding a minister responsible for personal statements made by an adult family member violated the principles of natural justice. However, party leaders rejected this defense, pointing out that she had failed to publicly condemn her daughter’s statements against the sitting Chief Minister.
Despite traveling to New Delhi to present her case directly to Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, the party leadership signaled that breaches of discipline would not be tolerated.
Wider Reshuffle: State Planning Board & Commission Changes
The cabinet action is part of a broader organizational purge directed by the party’s state leadership.
G. Chinna Reddy Removed: The Chief Minister has rescinded the appointment of Dr. G. Chinna Reddy as Vice-Chairman of the Telangana State Planning Board with immediate effect. Chinna Reddy had previously received a disciplinary notice for alleged inappropriate remarks targeting party leadership and Wanaparthy MLA T. Megha Reddy.
New Appointments:
Gadwal Vijayalakshmi has been appointed as the new Vice-Chairman of the Telangana State Planning Board.
Nerella Sharada takes over as the Chairperson of the Telangana State Commission for Women, filling the position vacated by Vijayalakshmi.
These decisions follow a comprehensive report submitted on August 25 by the TPCC Disciplinary Committee to state party chief Mahesh Kumar Goud, which called for decisive action against members threatening party unity.
Political Implications for the Revanth Reddy Administration
By removing a prominent leader like Konda Surekha, CM Revanth Reddy sends a strong message to both internal factions and opponents: allegiance to party leadership is paramount.
While the move solidifies Revanth Reddy’s authority within the state administration, political observers in Hyderabad note that managing the political fallout in North Telangana—where the Konda family holds considerable local influence—will be the next major challenge for the Congress leadership.
